Hello! Welcome to the Age of Ash. It's my reason for why Ash never ages - and I thought it would be rather funny.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon. :O
Prelude
Ash Ketchum was ten years old when he set off for his pokemon journey. Ten when he slept in, and hurried out the door in a rush to claim his first pokemon. Ten when he first met Pickacu, ten when he first dragged his starter along the road to Viridian City, and ten when the legendary Rainbow Pokemon graced Ketchum with its presence.
—-—
Ho-oh had been watching Ash. The Chosen One certainly was going to be an oddity, a potential source of entertainment… something that was new and exciting. After all, Arceus of all people had declared him her champion! The bird just had to know what made this human so special. So it was only natural that the bird watched over the boy.
Watched him and his pikachu struggle to get along. Watched them bond over their battle against a massive horde of sparrows in an act that won Ho-oh's blessing. Then continued to watch as Ash slowly caught and expanded his team. Watched as he beat gym after gym and entered the league's championship arena for the first time.
The legendary watched as Ash battled his way through the tournament. As he ruthlessly advanced through the tournament brackets by utilizing those erratic plans of his and sheer dumb luck. Eventually, the onslaught ended, with the Chosen respectively placing within the top sixteen. It wasn't so bad, although deploying his stubborn Charizard had flunked what could have been another advancement.
Well, he was a beginner, and they were allowed to make mistakes. Honestly, placing within the top sixteen after only roughly a year's worth of training was an incredible accomplishment.
Thankfully, the young boy hadn't noticed any changes yet. Changes brought about by the legendary's blessing. But it wasn't like too much time has passed by now. Sure, Misty and Brock might have both grown by half an inch each or so, but it wasn't anything too substantial.
It was a good thing, Ho-oh thought. There wouldn't be any point to have Ash worrying over himself. Arceus' chosen was going to have the best adventure, and live as happy as can be!
—-—
Time continued to fly by. As Misty stood proudly beside her friend after he won the Orange Island league, she couldn't be happier for him. They had known each other for almost two years by now, and the two often acted like childhood friends. Their banter was playful and comfortable, not demeaning or controlling like her sisters had occasionally been.
But lately, there was a difference in her companion… a small change she was struggling to figure out as they walked together down the road. As Misty looked down at Ash carrying his trophy as he laughed with his starter, she finally realized the issue. She was looking down at him. She was taller than Ash now. Oh, the teasing she could do to the rambunctious boy! But well, they were only eleven. Ash likely would have his growth spurt soon enough, and stand at her height once more. Everything was fine.
—-—
As Gary's last pokemon fell unconscious, the Oak found himself unable to do anything but stare at Ketchum. The Johto League Conference was supposed to be Gary's time to shine! But reality was cruel, and the fact that Gary had lost to Ashy Boy hands down, in a full pokemon battle, was indisputable.
Ash had changed, apparently. He might still look the exact same he did years ago, still possess that bubbly personality, that same eagerness, and excitement for pokemon. But his battle strategies have apparently taken massive strides.
Gary was almost proud of the little sucker.
—-—
Meeting up with Ash again in Hoenn was… odd. Sure, it hadn't been that long since Brock had been with Ash, and the kid looked the same as ever. But shouldn't the kid have grown a little bit? He looks like he's shrunk! But well, this was Ash… so the nineteen-year-old just shrugged it off and happily introduced himself to the younger boy's new traveling companions, May and Max.
What was odd though, was why Ash continued to go around introducing himself as ten years old. May and Max never batted an eye at it… did they think he was ten as well? He was fourteen! Sure, Brock could understand that there are advantages to being underestimated, but to go so far as to actively lie about your age? He would have to ask Ash about it later… away from the other two travelers.
Unfortunately, that time never came…
—-—
Scott had been tracking following one particular individual for quite some time now. The boy was an oddity, traveling to different regions and competing in their leagues. After a little digging into his background - he found that the boy certainly got around. Four years, four different leagues, and placing well in all of them. Even winning in the Orange Islands two years ago… sure, it wasn't exactly a full-on league, but it still was a great accomplishment. More impressive though, is that the boy switched up his team every year - instead of using a single team of six throughout.
Even odder, was in the video footage of the tournaments, besides switching up the wardrobe, Ash Ketchum looked exactly the same across the four years. Now, that wouldn't be surprising for someone in their twenties, but a fourteen-year-old should be showing some kind of growth.
Was it malnutrition? Did the boy know how to take care of himself? Or was there something more under that hat?
Either way, Scott just knew he'd had to have the boy challenge the Battle Frontier.
—-—
Ash Ketchum, the boy on a journey of eternal happiness, had gotten way too strong for his own good. The Battle Frontier had sharpened his mind, and this latest rival of his was pushing him to incredible heights. Something needed to be done, and soon - or else something irreversible might happen.
Ash didn't need to be tied down with the responsibilities of a champion. He had enough to deal with running around saving other legendaries like he has been. Ho-oh just knew that the Chosen One would be much happier continuing to travel the world in relative peace. The Orange Islands didn't have any need for their champion to stick around - it was a quiet little place. The people there were strong, and there wasn't an evil team based there to be forced to deal with.
But Sinnoh was different. If Ash could win the tournament… well, there was no need to risk an official battle between the Chosen One and Cynthia. Ho-oh would have to call in an expert, and pull in some favors, all in order to ensure the best for his blessed child.
Afterwards… Ash and his pikachu would need to be reset. With a heavy heart, it decided it was time to call Zekrom and Mewtwo.
—-—
Despite being rather quiet and soft-spoken, Delia Ketchum had always been a rather intelligent woman. Or at least, so she'd like to think. But nowadays she doesn't know what to think of her son. Her little boy had long since set off for his journey - and she'd come to terms with that. But in all seven years, he'd been traveling around the world… he hadn't even grown an inch.
She knew his dimensions like the back of her hand now - after making so many outfits for him over the years. Her little boy… in seemingly all intents and purposes - was still ten. Poor Sam was stumped over his lack of growth. He hasn't talked to her boy about it yet, and thankfully had been keeping it from the scientific community at large. The last thing she wanted was her little boy used as a science experiment.
But her boy had grown in other ways… keyword being had. Unfortunately, the difference between his Sinnoh tournament and watching that last Unova Conference was very stark… and rather worrisome.
It might have taken years, but she had eventually gotten Ash to call home once every while. Keeping up with his journey and making sure he is safe. Typical motherly desires. In one of his earliest calls, however, he had talked about how Pikachu got defeated by a measly Snivy! Pikachu - the pokemon capable of going toe to toe with legendaries, lost to a fresh starter right off the block. Oh sure, Ash had gushed about Trip's capabilities and the like - but Delia could read between the lines. Her Ash had six years of experience over the newbie! This was the work of someone… or something.
But whatever had happened, Ash seemed to have thankfully recovered rather quickly. She'd still place him as performing below his usual average, but it was far better than his first few battles in Unova. And now her little boy was packing his things for Kalos, already ready to challenge another league.
—-—
Serena was having an existential crisis. She had found the boy from summer camp, the one she may or may not have had a small crush on. She, as one usually does, of course, had found him falling off the highest building in Lumiose City chasing down a pikachu on TV, but that's beside the point! He was here! In Kalos!
The only thing wrong was… He looked so young! Sure, during summer camp, Ash might have been a couple several years older than her - but now he looked her age! Well… actually maybe even younger. Wasn't that headache-inducing. Why her savior looked so young would be a problem for tomorrow's Serena.
If anyone could convince her mother that Ryhorn racing was not her calling, it would be Ash. His love for pokemon was incredibly contagious, and he had a way of phrasing things that made it seem so obvious. Hopefully, she'll be able to catch up with him!
—-—
Alain, the league winner, stared at his charizard, and it, back. He should have lost the tournament… The two of them agreed. They both knew Charizard had never given off such strong fire attacks before, nor withstood such solid blows. During the match, they had just figured it was their burning passion that kept them going, managing to eek out a win despite their type disadvantage.
But Alain wasn't a fool - who didn't research their opponent before their match? Much less one who's their rival - and in the league finals. But what the boy had found was surprising, to say the least.
Ash Ketchum, a boy who couldn't have been older than twelve or thirteen (self-claimed ten) - had been on his pokemon journey for over eight years now… Old league photos and the like easily confirmed it was the same boy - after all, there wasn't a single thing different about him besides his outfit! Well, and his pokemon - besides Pikachu.
According to the few old companions, Alain was able to speak to, and league footage, the boy had steadily grown stronger as a battler… until Unova. Alain managed to contact Iris, a traveling companion of Ash's at the time, who happily rambled on about his blundering - and even Trip (who beat Ash), claimed to have beat Pikachu with his now evolved snivy… back when it was just a snivy! Pikachu, the pokemon that went toe to toe against legendaries the prior year!
And despite his apparent setback, the boy had recovered remarkably fast. His special Ash-Greninja had bested type disadvantage against a semi-finalist! And yet… somehow his Charazard was able to do the same feat against it? Maybe, but Ash had proven himself incredibly capable…
Alain decided that he couldn't challenge the elite four and Diantha. Not when he wasn't sure how Charizard got boosted. After the tournament, he had sought after and then battled against Sawyer, who managed to put up a good fight despite his type disadvantage.
The worst thing was Alain couldn't even battle Ash again, as he had left for a well-deserved vacation to Alola…
—-—
Arceus was freaking out. Her latest Chosen One, Ash Ketchum - had not aged… In eight long years. She couldn't tell if it was some effect of the Aura radiating off her Legendary creations… or perhaps some misfire of the act of her 'choosing'.
Eitherway, the fact the boy had not aged was an issue. Another issue was the sudden obstacles thrown in his way during his league battles… Has Alain always been that powerful? Where did Tobias come from, and where on earth did he go? What happened to make Pikachu, of all pokemon, lose to a rookie snivy?
It was time to get to the bottom of this…
"DIALGA!" she screamed from her throne in the Hall of Origin.
The pokemon of time instantly appeared beside her throne, "Yes?"
Arceus took a moment to remove any emotion from her voice before speaking to one of her eldest children, "What exactly is happening with Ash… the Chosen One? Why hasn't he aged?"
Edited: July 31st, 2022.
To be continued... eventually, lol. My update cycle is all out of whack. But no, I'm not abandoning any fics.
